U.S. ag equipment exports up in ’07

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — U.S. exports of agricultural-related machinery totaled more than $8.2 billion dollars in 2007, an increase of more than 13 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

“The need to provide energy and the need to provide adequate food to sustain the world population are key drivers of the positive trends we are seeing in exports of agricultural equipment,” noted Association of Equipment Manufacturers Vice President Agricultural Services Charlie O’Brien.

Largest gains

South America recorded the largest gains, followed by Africa and Europe. Farm equipment exports dropped to Australia/Oceania and exports to Central America were flat.

Farm equipment exports to South America grew 46 percent in 2007, with purchases totaling $689 million dollars.

Africa took delivery of $247 million dollars worth of American-made agricultural equipment in 2007, a gain of 28 percent, and exports to Europe increased 24 percent and totaled $3.3 billion dollars.

Asia bought $710 million dollars worth of U.S. agricultural machinery, a 4-percent increase, while Canada’s export purchases of $2.1 billion dollars represented a 6-percent increase.

Decline

U.S. exports to Australia/Oceania totaled $501 million dollars, a 15-percent decline for 2007, and Central America’s farm equipment export purchases were flat at $722 million dollars.